With the warm weather of the past ten days, ice conditions on several lakes in the area did deteriorate a bit and some small locations started opening up, but other locations retained their ice even if they didn’t gain anything. But the nicer weather did help to get a large number of fishermen and women on to the ice and the results showed a good mix of catches. Some lakes are still open because of the weather, like Pactola and Sheridan Reservoirs, but the coming frigid weather will help to shore up the lakes in the area and should lock up the bigger ones as well.
With the coming cold in mind, here’s the current fishing report on the Hills region:
Pactola Reservoir, while still mostly open, is seeing a lot of fishing activity in the Jenny Gulch area where 7-9″ of ice has been reported. There has been a fairly good rainbow bite as of late along with some bluegill activity in less than 10′ of water. Pike activity is also going at a good pace with a large number being caught, including some 10 pounders. Jigs with waxworms are catching the rainbows and gills while shiners are seeing the most action for those seeking pike. Sheridan Lake is also mostly open save for the 385 bay area and some of Chipper Bay, but ice conditions in these areas are not safe and should be avoided until the weather turns colder over the next week. No activity has been reported. Deerfield recently locked up despite the warmer weather and reports are that it has anywhere from 4″ to 8″ of ice with the best ice located in Gold Run and along the Dutchman boat launch area. Perch are in the areas as normal and lots of sorting is required for those looking for a meal. A laker or two has also been caught according to reports. Stockade Lake has been a bright spot in the area since the lakes locked up with the west side having around 8″ of ice on it and a good bluegill bite going on along with a few crappie in the mix in weedy areas from 7′ to 9′ of water. The pike bite has slowed down a bit from what was a great bite a couple of weeks ago. Other areas of the lake are reported to have 6″ of ice.
Belle Fourche Reservoir/Orman Dam is seeing a decent walleye bite where the ice is 4″-6″, but caution is still advised as the ice is uneven across most of the lake. No reports on what’s working best, but it would seem from posted photos of local fishermen in the area that dead sticks with minnows or shiners are catching most of the highly sought after fish. Angostura Reservoir is seeing a bit of shore fishing still as the lake is wide open, but some of the bays could lock up with the coming colder weather.
The trout lakes are seeing a lot of activity as most of them have the best ice conditions currently. Roubaix, Dalton, and Reausaw have over 8″ of ice and decent trout bites going on. Sylvan Lake is very popular right now with over 9″ of good ice and an on again/off again bite. Lots of fishermen and women have been on it with rainbows and tiger trout being caught. Center Lake, always a popular location, has been gotten on with caution. The middle of the lake reopened up during this warm spell and 4″ of ice is the thickest right now on the northern area of the lake with a few nicer ‘bows coming out of it from those tempted to get on the lake. So caution is advised until the middle of the lake refreezes and adds on some inches.
If you’d like any more information, up-to-date reports, or what’s working in the area at present, be sure to get a hold of Scott Olson at dr.auger81@hotmail.com, on Facebook, or through his website, drauger81.wixsite.com/drauger81.
